Kristina Ebanez
This phenomenon began in 2005 with Rian Johnson’s debut film, Brick, where Joseph plays the main character in a crime drama. After this movie, the actor has been in other Johnson films due to a pact between the two.
Gordon-Levitt previously discusses this theme in an interview with Looper and states, “The two Rian Johnson ones are because we had an agreement, a gentleman’s agreement, that Rian, for some reason, wants me to be in all of his movies, which is a delight to me.” He then continues on to talk about how he has done small voice roles for the times when he can’t make it to the set.
One example of this work is from Rian’s recent film, Glass Onion: A Knives Out mystery, in which Joseph is the voice for the “Dong!” that sounds off hourly at Miles Bron’s private island.
To see more Rian Johnson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt collaborations, here is a list of the remaining films they have worked on together:
The Brothers Bloom (Uncredited) Looper (Joe) Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Slowen Lo) Knives Out (Detective Hardrock)
Noah Segan is another actor who may be a part of this hidden cameo theme in Rian Johnson projects because he played Trooper Wagner in Knives Out and then changed his appearance with Derol in Glass Onion. All in all, Rian Johnson continues to incorporate themes into his films, and we can’t wait to see what he does for his next project.
Dear Netflix, It’s Time For A Knives Out Interactive Movie Rian Johnson’s Upcoming Murder Mystery TV Series Is Basically Knives Out with Columbo Vibes 10 Actors We Want to See in Knives Out 3 & the Roles They Should Play Glass Onion Proves Knives Out Is a Murder Mystery Franchise With Endless Possibilities 10 Knives Out Mystery Tropes You’ll Hope Are in the Next Movie